Crystalderm contains pure and high grade Kojic acid. Kojic acid is derived from a variety of fungi and organic substances and is present in skin-whitening soaps used to diminish dark areas resulting from excessive pigmentation in the skin. Besides freckles and melasma there are many types of pigmentation problems that may be treated with kojic acid, because it stops the production of pigment. Kojic acid attacks the root of the pigmentation source by inhibiting the production of melanin. More specifically, kojic acid counters the antioxidant properties of the enzyme tyrosinase, which reacts with an amino acid called tyrosine to produce melanin. By stopping the production of melanin, kojic acid can reverse excessive darkening of the skin and promote a younger and fairer complexion.